Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Awards $33,000 in Scholarships to Pine Bluff Students

The Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., in conjunction with the Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation, presented $33,000 in scholarships to 33 students from Pine Bluff and Jefferson County on February 13, 2026, at the Pine Bluff Convention Center as reported by the Pine Bluff Commercial. The annual Valentine’s Scholarship Fundraiser drew over 700 attendees, including educators, families, and community leaders.

Commitment to Academic Success

The scholarships, each valued at $1,000, reflect Alpha Phi Alpha’s “Go-to-High School, Go-to-College” initiative, which aims to foster leadership development and academic achievement according to a news release.

Community Jewels Honored

During the event, three individuals were recognized as Community Jewels: Lula Dickson, Quranner Cotledge, and Carlton Saffa. Dickson’s three-decade career at the Pine Bluff Arsenal was marked by numerous accolades. Cotledge dedicated 43 years to state government, youth mentorship, and civic engagement. Saffa, the chief market officer at Saracen Casino Resort, was instrumental in the casino’s licensure process as detailed in the Pine Bluff Commercial.

Scholarship Recipients

The following students received scholarships:

• Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Nicholas Webster (Pine Bluff High School, Business/Sport Management)
• Brother Judge Jackie Harris Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Keiran L. Smith (Watson Chapel High School, Agricultural Business, University of Arkansas)
• Brother Judge Earnest and Mrs. Tina R. Brown Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: JayQuan Delane Cannon (Watson Chapel High School, Welding, University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech)
• Brother Dr. Hazell Reed Legacy Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Sebastian Eal (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Agriculture Business, Gamma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity)
• Brother Arzo and Dr. Wilda Knox Legacy Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Jordan Anderson (Pine Bluff High School, Music Education, Jackson State University)
• Brother Booker and the late Mrs. Ruthie Clemons Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Jeremiah Mitchell (Pine Bluff High School, Nursing, University of Oklahoma or UAPB)
• Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Chase Farris (Pine Bluff High School, Criminal Justice, UAPB)
• Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Braylin Long (Pine Bluff High School, Cybersecurity, Texas State University)
• Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Christian Murray (Pine Bluff High School, Animal Science, University of Arkansas)
• Brother Dr. Toarian Milem Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Nicholas Norfolk Jr. (UAPB, Business Marketing, Gamma Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha)
• Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: MD Rahat (Pine Bluff High School, Business, University of North Texas)
• Brother Charles and Mrs. Betty Wesson Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Ayden Luckett (Watson Chapel High School, Business Political Science, UAPB or Arkansas State University)
• Late Mr. Armechi D. Morgan Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Jonathan Campbell (Watson Chapel High School, Agricultural Science, UAPB)
• Late Mrs. LaDorothy Wilson and the Late Ms. Gussie Thomas Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Terrence Wyrick Jr. (Watson Chapel High School, Business Management & Political Science, Jackson State University)
• Fall 2025 Initiates of Delta Sigma Lambda (Phinal Four) Brothers Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Carmello Wilson (Pine Bluff High School, Philosophy/Pre-Law, Howard University)
• Brother Dr. Roy and Mrs. Keidra Burrell Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Kaden French (Pine Bluff High School, Computer Science, UAPB)
• Brother Dr. Kenneth Lambert and Mrs. Donna Terrell Lambert Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Lamarcus Morris Jr. (Pine Bluff High School, Biology Pre-Medicine/Nursing, Alabama State University)
• Norman J. Toney Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Kendol Greenwood (Pine Bluff High School, Animal Science, Arkansas State University)
• Late Brother Artis Mendenhall Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Isaiah Taylor (Pine Bluff High School, Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences)
• Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship Alpha Jewel Foundation Scholarship: JaCeleb Evans (Pine Bluff High School, Veterinary Studies, Southern Arkansas University)
• Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship Alpha Jewel Foundation Scholarship: Wesley Center (White Hall High School, Psychology, University of Arkansas)
• Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Foundation Legacy Scholarship: Malachi Rayford (Watson Chapel High School, Electrical Engineering, Arkansas State University)
• Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Dylan Parker (Watson Chapel High School, Electrical Engineering, University of Arkansas)
• Brother Dr. Manuel and Mrs. Charlene Kelley Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Adam Price (Pine Bluff High School, Computer Science, UAPB)
• Brother Daryl and Mrs. Joyce Grant Scott Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Chandler Parker (Pine Bluff High School, Social Operate/Psychology, University of Central Arkansas)
• Brother Thomas Vaughns Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Donnell Reed Jr. (White Hall High School, Psychology, Jackson State University)
• Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Clarence Pope (Pine Bluff High School, Architecture/Sports Management, Butte College)
• Late Charles Lee and Martha Rae McCollum Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: DeArrius Logwood (Pine Bluff High School, Biology, Clark Atlanta University)
• Late Mrs. Ella M. Whitmore Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Kelton Stepps (Watson Chapel High School, Psychology & Music, Jackson State University)
• Brother Elder Ronnie and Lady Shantella Miller Yow Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Nasir Hunter (Pine Bluff High School, Engineering, University of Central Arkansas)
• Brother Dr. Giles Willis Jr. And Dr. Kimberly Willis Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Sammarion Farris (Watson Chapel High School, Civil Engineering, Jackson State University)
• Saracen Casino Resort Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Melvin Henderson (Pine Bluff High School, Neuroscience/Pre-Medicine, Carthage University)
• Brother Dr. Manuel and Mrs. Charlene Kelley Alpha Jewel Legacy Scholarship: Demetric Butler (Watson Chapel High School, Data Analytics, UAPB)

The Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Has been a fixture in Pine Bluff since 1948 according to their Facebook page, and continues its commitment to the community through initiatives like this scholarship fundraiser.